State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) has been chosen
to serve on a newly-created bipartisan task force that will study how Illinois
distributes funding to public schools.

Ives, a leading voice of opposition to last year’s SB16,
which sought to fundamentally rewrite the school funding formula, said she
looks forward to working with her colleagues on the task force. “Solutions to
education funding equity and adequacy issues are far too important to push
through without a thorough vetting,” said Ives. “As this is an issue that
affects every community in Illinois, I’m pleased to see a bipartisan approach
to studying the issue and finding an acceptable solution.”

According to Ives, last year’s SB16 has been refiled as SB1
in the 99th General Assembly. “As I study the new bill, I see a few
changes but believe this is still the wrong solution for Illinois school
districts,” said Ives. “SB1 still creates ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ and I am
advocating for a school funding solution that allows all kids optimal
opportunities for success. I hope the task force shares that goal.”

The task force, which includes 13 Democrats and 10
Republicans from the House of Representatives, will hold its first meeting at
3:00 PM on Wednesday, March 11, at which time the group will organize and
schedule additional hearings.